David Scott GysbertsDelivers Student Commencement Address
SALISBURY, MD---David Scott Gysberts, a senior liberal studies major with concentrations in sociology, philosophy and education, is the student commencement speaker at Salisbury State University's graduation exercises on Sunday, December 19, at 3 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center.
Gysberts, 22, transferred to SSU from High Point University in North Carolina and, "I can say with confidence that my decision to transfer was a wise one. It is not the size of an institution, its geographical location or its affiliation that is of utmost importance; rather it is an atmosphere of freedom, openness and tolerance, the creation of a sense of community and academic integrity, that make colleges and universities superior. I have to say that, in this light, Salisbury State University has proven its superiority."
Gysberts, a Student Government Association senator and member of the Philosophical Society since 1997, was an organizer of SSU's "Day Without Violence," sponsored by the Center for Conflict Resolution, last April.
He was selected this fall to participate in the Roots and Shoots College Summit on Environmental Education, sponsored by the Jane Goodall Institute, and participated in the Peace Studies Association Conference in Albany, NY, last spring. He has presented a paper on "Religion and Identity Construction" at the Fulton School of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Research Conference and debated "Utilitarianism vs. Deontology" at the SSU Philosophical Society's Cookie Colloquium debate.
His volunteer activities include tutoring at-risk children at the Salisbury Salvation Army and teaching conflict resolution to second graders at North Salisbury Elementary. He works in SSU's recycling program and was a camp director at the Maryland State Forest and Park Service's Outdoor Discovery Residential Camp at South Mountain State Park last summer.
Admission to SSU's commencement is by ticket only. For more information please call the Salisbury State Public Relations Office at 410-543-6030.